Cobham(Hall 2B EF167) delivered four converted Hawker Beechcraft B350ER King Air special mission aircraft to Ascent Flight Training for the UK Military Flying Training System on June 9. The delivery was made at the Cobham Aviation Services facility adjacent to Bournemouth International Airport.

Royal Navy and Ascent personnel will use the aircraft to train navy observers to navigate and operate their aircraft tactically, prior to commencing operational flight training on Lynx, Merlin and Sea King helicopters. The aircraft are fitted with twin student training consoles and twin instructor consoles and will be equipped with 360-degree Telephonic RDR1700A underbelly radar and full navigation and communications suites.

The King Airs replace now retired Jetstream T2 aircraft, and will be operated by 750 Naval Air Squadron at Culdrose. Cobham Aviation Service received the $32 million contract from Ascent in 2009 to convert the aircraft for the training role and provide daily in-service support for an initial five-year period.